The Lexington Medical Center Foundation will award $1,110,000 this year to organizations in the Midlands that provide valuable services to enhance the health and well being of people in our community. Giving generously to community organizations has become an important aspect of the work of the hospital foundation.

Today, representatives from Lexington Medical Center’s foundation and community outreach board presented a check to The Free Medical Clinic in Columbia.

“We live in a society with tremendous medical technology, but we also have so many people who are disenfranchised or in the shadows when it comes to health care. The Free Medical Clinic offers something that is sacred and we appreciate the opportunity to show our support,” said Charles W. Harmon, MD, FACS. Dr. Harmon is a Lexington Medical Center board member and surgeon with Lexington Surgical Associates, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice.

The Free Medical Clinic provides quality health care at no cost to community members who cannot pay for health care services and do not have health insurance.

“We could not provide the care to the approximately 2,000 patients we serve each year without the support of the Lexington Medical Center Foundation,” said Freddie Strange, executive director of The Free Medical Clinic. “We are very thankful.”

“We provide tremendous care to our patients, but we also like to extend our impact outside our doors and we’re glad to be able to do that,” said Tod Augsburger, president & CEO of Lexington Medical Center.

Representatives from the Lexington Medical Center Foundation and the hospital’s Community Outreach Committee board will visit the organizations to deliver the awarded funding. The hospital foundation has specific criteria when selecting organizations.

“We choose agencies that serve local community needs, increase health care access for underserved populations, educate community members about health problems, collaborate with other health care organizations and provide medical services,” said Barbara Willm, vice president of Community Relations and Development at Lexington Medical Center.

Each organization must also submit a report about the impact of the services provided with the awarded money.

The Lexington Medical Center Foundation is pleased to be able to award funding to local organizations each fiscal year. Requests are accepted and reviewed annually by the hospital. Completed requests must be received by mid-May. Applicants are notified in September. For more information about applying and requirements, visit LMCFoundation.com or call (803) 791 – 2540.

Are you trying to quit smoking in the New Year? Lexington Medical Center is pleased to offer a series of FREE smoking cessation classes to members of our community who want to kick the smoking habit for good.

The classes, offered at hospital locations around Lexington County, meet once each week for two hours and last eight weeks. The Freedom from Smoking program is open to anyone who wants to quit smoking, and because of a generous grant from the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, there is no cost to participate.

The first session of classes begins on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at 811 West Main Street in Lexington. Additional sessions will begin in March in Irmo, May in Lexington, July in West Columbia and September in Lexington. Tobacco cessation facilitators who have training from the American Lung Association lead the classes.

Since its inception, 51% of the people who completed the smoking cessation program through Lexington Medical Center have quit smoking. That’s significantly above the national average of 17 to 23 percent. The classes provide helpful tips for quitting.

The program doesn’t end with the completion of the eight-week course. The clinicians leading the classes check on each participant at 30-, 90-, 180- and 365-day intervals for the first year.

If you or someone you know wants to quit smoking and participate in Lexington Medical Center’s smoking cessation program, please call (803) 358-6180. You must register for the class in advance.

Join the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, University of South Carolina men’s head basketball coach Frank Martin, Cocky, USC cheerleaders, the Carolina Girls and Gamecock fans for the “Campaign for Clarity Tip-Off” on Monday, November 6.

Proceeds from this event at the Colonial Life Arena will raise money for the Lexington Medical Center Foundation’s “Campaign for Clarity,” a capital campaign to provide 3-D mammography throughout Lexington Medical Center’s network of care.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the event includes a question and answer session with Coach Martin, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased at LexMed.com/tipoff.

Frank Martin became the head coach of the University of South Carolina men’s basketball team in 2012. He coached the team to the school’s first-ever appearance in the Final Four in the 2017 NCAA tournament.

As a leader in cancer care in the Midlands, Lexington Medical Center has a goal of expanding its 3-D mammography program throughout the hospital’s network of care. It currently provides 3-D mammogram technology at some of its Women’s Imaging locations and physician practices.

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This blog is intended for general understanding and education about Lexington Medical Center. Nothing on the blog should be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Blog visitors with personal health or medical questions should consult their health care provider.